2027: Ikpeazu’s ‘Yes, We Can’ Resonates in Obingwa

In what appears to be a subtle yet strategic signal of political reawakening, the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has reignited momentum within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and across Abia’s political landscape with a three-word phrase that could shape the tone of opposition politics heading into the 2027 general elections: “Yes, we can.”

The remark was made on Thursday, June 12, at his country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA, during a thank-you courtesy visit by his former aides and political appointees. Addressing the gathering, Ikpeazu urged his political allies and supporters to move beyond the setbacks of the 2023 elections and look to the future with renewed hope and purpose. He emphasized that the PDP still possesses the structure, reach, and experience to reclaim political power in Abia, if party members and supporters can unite and “walk the talk.”

More than mere rhetoric, the statement was a deliberate call to action. Ikpeazu, who governed the state from 2015 to 2023 and remains a formidable pillar within the PDP, appears to be laying both the ideological and emotional groundwork for a possible political resurgence for the party.

The impact of his message was immediate. On Friday, June 13, the Obingwa chapter of the PDP, long considered one of the party’s strongest bases, held an enlarged monthly LGA meeting where members enthusiastically echoed Ikpeazu’s declaration. For PDP members in Obingwa, the rallying slogan going into 2027 has now been firmly adopted: “Yes, we can.”

The meeting itself was nothing short of a political tsunami in terms of turnout and enthusiasm. Despite initial attempts by the Abia State Government to frustrate the gathering, including denial of access to two agreed venues, PDP members remained undeterred. Demonstrating remarkable resolve, they secured an alternative venue where the meeting not only held successfully, but also became a platform for bold declarations and strategic resolutions, signaling a unified resolve and renewed vigor ahead of 2027.

Of particular note was the presence of some party members who had previously expressed deep dissatisfaction with the outcome of the last PDP congresses. These individuals, many of whom had distanced themselves from party activities and were believed to be on the verge of defecting to other political parties, made a surprising appearance at the meeting. While their exact motivations remain unclear, whether it was an olive branch to reconcile, a strategic show of interest, or a calculated political move, their attendance did not go unnoticed. For observers within and outside the party, it was a telling sign that the PDP in Obingwa is reawakening and that the 2027 political chessboard is already in motion.

The meeting ended with a resounding tone of optimism. The unmistakable message: the PDP’s journey to reclaim Abia has begun, and Obingwa intends to lead the charge.

This development takes on even greater significance when viewed against the backdrop of the state’s current political climate. Governor Alex Otti, who secured victory in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party, now finds himself in an uncertain political quagmire. Following protracted internal crises within the Labour Party, the Supreme Court affirmed Julius Abure as the party’s authentic national chairman. Shortly afterward, under Abure’s leadership, the Labour Party announced the indefinite suspension of Governor Otti, effectively leaving the sitting governor without a recognized political platform. While Otti continues to govern, questions now loom over his political future, particularly regarding his re-election bid in 2027 if the Labour Party rift remains unresolved or if he is unable to secure a new, viable political structure.

For the PDP, these developments have created a clear window of opportunity. After suffering a stunning defeat in 2023 that ended its years of long grip on Abia’s governorship, the party is now visibly regrouping, repositioning itself to retake the state. The loss, though painful and unexpected, has not broken the party. In politics, no party is guaranteed permanent power. Even in the world’s most advanced democracies, ruling parties lose and later return stronger after periods of reflection and strategic recalibration.

This is the reality now driving the PDP’s renewed hope and momentum in Abia. Party leaders and supporters are reframing the 2023 loss not as an end, but as a pivotal turning point. Rather than yielding to bitterness or complacency, the party is learning from its missteps, whether internal divisions, complacency, or loss of grassroots connection. It is also identifying governance gaps under the current administration of Otti that it will capitalize and could be used to rebuild public trust and rally support.

An Igbo adage says that when a man falls from a tree, he learns the lessons thereof, understanding where he slipped, why he fell, and how to avoid falling again. This ancient wisdom aptly captures the current mood within the PDP. The party, having fallen, is not retreating into self-pity. Instead, it is rising with renewed hope and clarity of purpose.

This time, there is a deeper realization: political power is not inherited, it is earned through unity, hard work, and genuine connection with the people. If the PDP can consolidate internal unity, resolve longstanding grievances, and revitalize its grassroots base, it stands a credible chance of returning to power in 2027. But beyond strategy, it must present a clear, compelling, and people-focused vision for Abia, one that resonates with the electorate and offers a convincing alternative to the current administration.

Despite its 2023 defeat, the PDP remains the most structurally grounded party in Abia, still commanding grassroots support across all 17 local government areas. Its current strategy, as gathered from recent activities and resolutions, includes reconciling with aggrieved members, strengthening local party organs, and intensifying engagement with youth and women; two critical demographics the party largely lost to the Otti wave in 2023.

Dr. Ikpeazu, still one of the most influential PDP leaders in the South-East, appears fully aware of the challenges ahead. Reclaiming Abia will not be a walk in the park. But his message of collective hope, “Yes, we can” is already inspiring renewed confidence in the party’s internal strength and public appeal. Though delivered in Obingwa, the resonance of that message is already echoing far beyond his hometown.

There is also a subtle but strategic undertone to Ikpeazu’s words. By speaking inclusively “we the PDP and those who believe that change is possible” he may be signaling readiness to welcome strategic alliances beyond traditional party lines. This hints at a possible broad-based opposition agreement, especially if Otti remains estranged from the Labour Party and dissatisfaction with his administration continues to grow.

Clearly, the 2027 political contest in Abia is already beginning to take shape beneath the surface. And with Ikpeazu’s rallying cry now setting the tone and the Obingwa PDP picking up the baton, one thing is becoming increasingly certain: the battle to wrestle power from an incumbent governor currently without a formal political home has officially begun.

The mood in the PDP has shifted. The message is no longer one of lament, but of renewed hope, confidence and resolve.

2027: We Will Do the Needful … Yes, We Can! – Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu

My name is Enyinnaya Appolos